I have been addressing the expenses involved in the project. The project involves training in at least three different forms of martial arts, maintaining a web site, gathering data, interviewing instructors, writing articles and blogs, etc. For the training, I am training for one hour a week and practicing for 15 minutes a day, three days a week. I think that this is the minimum time a person would be willing to invest.
If I was seeking training as the average person, I would be very happy with the cost. Many of the studios/schools offer free uniforms with at least a 6-month contract, if they require one at all. The monthly tuition generally allows a student to attend many classes a week. From what I have seen, the consumer is getting a good deal.
Honestly, this is a great time to get involved with martial arts/self defense. There are a lot of different styles to choose from and the rates are pretty reasonable
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Expenses of Training
Unfortunately, I do not have three instructors. One instructor is too expensive, one instructor does not want to be involved and one instructor is actually training us. So here we are, searching again. All of the problems that come up are expenses; expenses in time, energy, sanity and money. Okay let me list some of the expenses of the projects so far:
-Money: Obviously money is going to be an issue. We need money for training, uniforms, domain and hosting charges, software, ink, paper, and camera equipment. We are constantly trying to think of ways to get money for the project.
-Time: Scheduling training and interviews around our different work schedules.
-Energy: This is a big expense. Luckily, we all love what we are doing in this project. This makes the expense of energy seem fine. But, all of us are putting in many, many hours a week to make this project work.
-Sanity: Hmmm… This is questionable. Did any of the team have any to start with? Each of us has been frustrated, irritated, confused and annoyed with the project. Each of us has been excited, elated, energized and eager about the project. The constant up and down takes its toll on sanity.
Each of these expenses is dealt with every day. Our enthusiasm keeps us going.
-Money: Obviously money is going to be an issue. We need money for training, uniforms, domain and hosting charges, software, ink, paper, and camera equipment. We are constantly trying to think of ways to get money for the project.
-Time: Scheduling training and interviews around our different work schedules.
-Energy: This is a big expense. Luckily, we all love what we are doing in this project. This makes the expense of energy seem fine. But, all of us are putting in many, many hours a week to make this project work.
-Sanity: Hmmm… This is questionable. Did any of the team have any to start with? Each of us has been frustrated, irritated, confused and annoyed with the project. Each of us has been excited, elated, energized and eager about the project. The constant up and down takes its toll on sanity.
Each of these expenses is dealt with every day. Our enthusiasm keeps us going.
Friday, February 12, 2010
Taekwondo Training
1/23/10
It is a little strange taking martial arts classes again. The uniform feels strange and I am constantly adjusting it. I wore a tank top underneath the uniform; big mistake! I was pulling and adjusting and sweating. I won’t be making this mistake again.
In this class we learned the low block, straight punch, a specific method of stepping and the high block. The moves were totally unfamiliar and the ready stance was very uncomfortable and unnatural. I would not fight from this stance.
I have to practice this low block before the next class. I am horrible at it. It seems like a silly move.
1/30/10
Sue (the instructor) asked if we had learned the tenants (courage, integrity, perseverance, self control, indomitable spirit). Neither of us had learned them. I was so busy practicing the low block, I didn’t even think of them.
This uniform (dobok) is a little strange. It has long slits up the sides that hang open. Once you get moving in the class, it rides up and exposes your skin. I don’t happen to care about being exposed but, it does get a little uncomfortable.
So, we learned a front kick, and she got more into the punch. We also worked on the blocks, especially the one I am so terrible at. She also informed us that we are going to be learning a form, which incorporates all the moves she is teaching us. My homework for the week will be tenants and blocks.
2/6/10
We dove right into the beginning of the form that we must learn. She demonstrated it and then we worked on the various turns that are involved. This form is not as complicated as it can be. The moves are pretty repetitious. We also worked on the blocks and the front kick. She introduced the natural stance for sparring.
It is a little strange taking martial arts classes again. The uniform feels strange and I am constantly adjusting it. I wore a tank top underneath the uniform; big mistake! I was pulling and adjusting and sweating. I won’t be making this mistake again.
In this class we learned the low block, straight punch, a specific method of stepping and the high block. The moves were totally unfamiliar and the ready stance was very uncomfortable and unnatural. I would not fight from this stance.
I have to practice this low block before the next class. I am horrible at it. It seems like a silly move.
1/30/10
Sue (the instructor) asked if we had learned the tenants (courage, integrity, perseverance, self control, indomitable spirit). Neither of us had learned them. I was so busy practicing the low block, I didn’t even think of them.
This uniform (dobok) is a little strange. It has long slits up the sides that hang open. Once you get moving in the class, it rides up and exposes your skin. I don’t happen to care about being exposed but, it does get a little uncomfortable.
So, we learned a front kick, and she got more into the punch. We also worked on the blocks, especially the one I am so terrible at. She also informed us that we are going to be learning a form, which incorporates all the moves she is teaching us. My homework for the week will be tenants and blocks.
2/6/10
We dove right into the beginning of the form that we must learn. She demonstrated it and then we worked on the various turns that are involved. This form is not as complicated as it can be. The moves are pretty repetitious. We also worked on the blocks and the front kick. She introduced the natural stance for sparring.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Expenses of Training
Training is officially going to start this month. I was finally able to get three motivated and excited instructors. I am so happy to be working with all of them.
On another note, this training is proving to be quite expensive. Each martial art is not bad, but three together is a lot. The initial administrative fees plus the uniforms and other stuff adds up after awhile. I will be sure to include all of that in this blog. You should really know what to plan for with each of the martial arts.
I didn’t really think of that when I started this project. I was focused on the physical and self defense aspects; am I too old, how fit do I need to be, can I do three at the same time.
So, I will be working out the details of paying for the training. It would be nice to have sponsors, but most sponsors want a prettier, younger girl with less stretch marks.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Project
12/23/09
Sometimes life intrudes on our plans. Buying a house, dealing with a short sale, fixing the house up and moving. Whew! After I settle in, I will be able to start training in Krav Maga and Tae Kwon Do. We are trying to get in touch with an Aikido instructor, but the holidays slow everything down. The great news is that we have been able to get two solid interviews from the KM and TKD instructors. We have some new information on the site and have taken this slow down to really work on content and layout.
On another note, I am lucky to have such a great team. Kevin is excited and motivated and is looking for anything to put on film. Gavin constantly works to make the site better. Jade brings idea after idea about the project.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Project
11/4/09
I have been researching martial arts in Las Vegas. The goal is to find two other instructors soon. The holiday season is coming up and that will slow this project down, so I want to have all three lined up! Plus, we are in the process of buying a house and will be moving within the next two months. So, I think that my training will be postponed until January. I am very, very disappointed.
11/5/09
I made contact with two instructors. One instructor teaches Taekwondo and the other teaches Filipino Mixed Martial Arts (FMMA). The Taekwondo instructor is a female and seems excited about the project. I didn’t get to meet the FMMA instructor, but he seemed interested in the project. I have appointments with both of them next Wednesday.
11/8/09
I was wearing one of my project t-shirts to work and two co-workers asked to buy one. It was so surprising, I just told them that I don’t really sell them. The were both insistent, so I am looking into the cost of t-shirts. Maybe I can give them away with donations. I honestly don’t want to make paraphernalia for the site, but it might be a good idea. If people start wearing our shirts then we will have some advertising. We are researching this idea.
11/11/09
The meeting with the Taekwondo instructor went great. We are like-minded, so I think this will be a great opportunity for both of us. The FMMA instructor was also interested in the project, but I don’t think he would be good for now. What he teaches is his personal FMMA fusion. It seems really exciting and I want to take it. However, his school is the only one. His style is not very representative of what can be found if a student is looking for Muay Thai or Eskrima.
11/13/09
Back to researching… instructors, history, etc.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Project
10/25/09
I started walking and doing my abdominal routine. My legs felt a bit tired and stiff, but it felt so good to stretch afterwards. I am starting my ab routine slowly so I don’t have the gas and bloat. If I launch into it and do the full program I used to do, I will have gas, diarrhea and cramping for two weeks. I hate that.
10/27/09
I am unsure about the other two martial arts that I want to train in. The Karate is a potential. I am leaning more towards Taekwando and Aikido or Hapkido. I am still researching those. This week has been about writing as much content as I can for the site. I am sifting through all of my notes and creating essays, and articles.
10/28/09
Krav Maga Meeting! Kevin and I met with the Krav Maga instructor. He was excited and enthusiastic. He and I have the same view of self defense, it was refreshing. We are definitely going to train with him. Kevin is working on getting the equipment we need to film.
10/29/09
Gavin and I will be working, the next couple of days, on the website. I am excited to see this project coming together. Much of the set up is getting done and I can finally start on writing.
10/31/09
Wow! The site looks great! Gavin is doing an awesome job. My workout routine is posted, each of the martial arts that I plan on doing is represented and the colors look great. All I need now is to contact two other martial arts.
11/2/09
Kevin told me that we have to postpone the training for a week. He is having issues with his equipment. That might not be a bad thing, I still need to find the other two martial arts for this cycle.
It is starting to cool down here and slowly turning into fall. My knees are killing me and are constantly throbbing. It doesn’t matter if I walk or run or sit. Unfortunately, this happens every fall. When it snows it is worse. Luckily, it doesn’t snow that much in Las Vegas. I hope that my knees stop throbbing by the time I start my training.
I love getting old.
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